Davis Keillor-Dunn marked his Barnsley debut with a goal to help his new side to a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

Davis Keillor-Dunn marked his Barnsley debut with a goal to help his new side to a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

Davis Keillor-Dunn Marks Barnsley Debut with Decisive Goal in 2-1 Victory over Bristol Rovers

Davis Keillor-Dunn made a dream start to life at Barnsley as he scored on his debut to help his new club secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday. The attacking midfielder, recently signed from Mansfield Town, wasted no time in making an impact, finding the back of the net in a tightly contested League One encounter at Oakwell.

Keillor-Dunn’s goal came midway through the first half after a swift Barnsley counterattack. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, he showed composure and clinical finishing, slotting it past the Rovers’ goalkeeper with his left foot to open the scoring and send the home crowd into raptures. It was a moment that underlined why the Tykes were eager to secure his services during the summer transfer window.

Bristol Rovers responded well to going behind, with forward Aaron Collins equalizing just before halftime following a lapse in Barnsley’s defensive organization. His low-driven strike from inside the area leveled the game and set the stage for an intense second half.

The winner came in the 72nd minute through a well-executed team move that saw Devante Cole break down the right flank and deliver a pinpoint cross, which was turned into the net by an unfortunate own goal from Rovers’ defender James Connolly under pressure from Barnsley attackers. Though not credited with the final touch, Keillor-Dunn’s movement off the ball was instrumental in creating the chaos that led to the goal.

Speaking after the match, Barnsley manager Neill Collins praised Keillor-Dunn’s performance, saying, “He’s shown exactly what we brought him in for—energy, creativity, and goals. To get one on his debut is fantastic for him and for the team.”

The win lifts Barnsley up the League One table and sets a positive tone for the weeks ahead, with Keillor-Dunn quickly establishing himself as a potential fan favorite at Oakwell.